Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Marisol. It dates from 1971 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
This sketch shows a group of hands tangled together, some reaching upward while others press down.
This sketch shows a group of hands tangled together, some reaching upward while others press down. The lines are rough and dark, with some areas left lighter, almost like shadows. The edges of the paper look uneven, as if it’s been torn or framed roughly.
The artist signed it in the corner with the year 1971. The hands seem to be struggling or connected in some way, but it’s left open to your own thoughts.
Check out how this was made using lithography.
Overview
Untitled, a 1971 lithograph by Marisol Escobar, belongs to the Museum of Modern Art’s print collection. Executed in black and gray tones, the image depicts a cluster of interlaced hands, some extending upward, others pressing downward, rendered with vigorous, uneven lines that give the paper a weathered, torn appearance. The artist’s signature and the date appear in the lower corner, confirming its authorship and year of production.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a tangle of hands that appear both cooperative and conflicted, suggesting themes of connection, struggle, or collective effort. By leaving the narrative open, the work invites viewers to contemplate interpersonal dynamics and the ambiguous tension between support and restraint, consistent with Marisol’s broader interest in figurative storytelling.
Technique & Style
Created through lithography, the print employs rough, dark strokes juxtaposed with lighter, shadowed areas, emphasizing contrast and texture. The uneven paper edges and apparent tearing enhance the tactile quality, echoing the artist’s sculptural sensibility. The graphic simplicity of the figures aligns with Marisol’s characteristic blend of figurative representation and minimalist line work.
History & Provenance
Marisol Escobar, born in Paris in 1930 to Venezuelan parents, established her career in New York City, initially gaining recognition for sculptural pieces in the 1960s. By the early 1970s she expanded into printmaking, producing works such as this lithograph. The piece entered MoMA’s collection as part of its effort to document the artist’s transition from sculpture to print media.
Context
The early 1970s saw a resurgence of figurative art within the broader post‑minimalist discourse. Marisol’s lithograph reflects this climate, merging narrative content with a restrained visual language. Its focus on human hands resonates with contemporary explorations of bodily presence and social interaction prevalent among artists working in New York at the time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marisol Escobar (May 22, 1930 – April 30, 2016), otherwise known simply as Marisol, was a Venezuelan-American sculptor born in Paris, who lived and worked in New York City.
